Chapter 462: 446. Jing's Province Enters Period Of Turmoil Once Again
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"We have held them off for now, but Lie Fan is a formidable opponent," Guo Jia remarked. "We must strengthen our defenses further and be prepared for their next move." Gu Jia's words received a nod from Cao Cao, who showed his agreement. "Indeed. We have seen their tactics, and we know their strength. We must use this knowledge to our advantage and ensure that Hulao Pass remains impenetrable."
The first skirmish at Hulao Pass concluded, to the south of Hulao Pass, in Jing Province, at Changsha. Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai had finally arrived, bringing the Sun Clan's Army and Navy to assist Han Xuan, who had sworn fealty to the Sun Clan in repelling Liu Biao's forces.
Han Xuan, flanked by Cheng Xin and Wei Yan, welcomed Zhou Yu and Zhou Tai at the northern gate of Changsha.
"General Zhou Yu and General Zhou Tai," Han Xuan greeted, cupped his hand respectfully. "Your arrival is most timely. We are honored that the Sun Clan sent their support to help us."
Zhou Yu returned the greeting, his demeanor composed and confident. "Governor Han Xuan, we are here to uphold the agreement between us and ensure the security of Changsha now that it has served under its rightful banner. Together, we will repel Liu Biao's army."
Wei Yan, standing by Han Xuan's side, looked intently at the new arrivals. He had heard much about Zhou Yu's strategic brilliance and Zhou Tai's martial prowess. As the formalities concluded, Zhou Yu made an unexpected announcement and turned to look at Wei Yan.
"General Wei Yan," Zhou Yu said, turning to him, "in recognition of the agreement between My Lord and Governor Han Xuan alongside a form of recognition for your capabilities, I hereby assign you the same rank as General Zhou Tai."
Wei Yan's eyes widened in surprise, while Han Xuan and Cheng Xin were visibly shocked by the decision. Han Xuan quickly regained his composure, turning stoic, but Cheng Xin sneered inwardly, thinking Zhou Yu was blind for elevating what he considered a mere brute to such a high-ranking position.
"Thank you, General Zhou Yu," Wei Yan said, bowing deeply while cupping his hand toward Zhou Yu. "I will not disappoint the trust you and My Lord had put in me!"
Zhou Tai stepped forward, cupping his hand to Wei Yan. "Welcome to the ranks, General Wei Yan. I hope we can work splendidly together, let's have a sparring duel between the two of us in the near future."
Wei Yan returned Zhou Tai's gesture with a firm posture, with a determined fire in his eyes. "Thank You, General Zhou Tai. I'm ready whenever you want to start the spar, General Zhou Tai."
With the formalities complete, Zhou Yu began to outline the strategic plan to defend Changsha. "Liu Biao's forces will likely attempt a two-pronged attack, using both land and river routes. Our combined army and navy must be prepared to counter both."
Han Xuan nodded, his resolve firm. "I agree General Zhou Yu, don't worry my men will defend Changsha with all our might. The Sun Clan's reinforcements give us the strength we need to even further defend Changsha, especially with the Navy of the Sun Clan."
As the leaders discussed their strategies, the soldiers of Changsha felt a renewed sense of purpose and unity. With the Sun Clan's support, they were ready to face Liu Biao's impending assault.
Meanwhile, in Wuling, Liu Biao's army under Cai Mao's leadership prepared to march out to subjugate Changsha with what remained of their forces after the brutal battles against Lie Fan and then Liu Bei.
Before departing, Cai Mao, acting as regent, placed his sister, Lady Cai, in charge in his absence. Her appointment was immediately supported by all of the Cai Clan's supporters and their allies, leaving no room for opposition to maneuver.
Lady Cai took the position with ambition and authority, quickly establishing her control over Wuling. She knew that it was important for her to maintain stability and ensure that the Cai Clan was still in control and remained strong while Cai Mao led the army.
Her influence and connections within the Cai Clan ensured that she had the loyalty and resources needed to establish her rule effectively, leaving no room for her opposition to maneuver.
Unbeknownst to Cai Mao, however, Liu Bei, who was in Xiangyang, received news of Liu Biao's army departure. Liu Bei's eyes narrowed as he pondered the implications.
With Liu Biao's forces moving towards Changsha, he felt an opportunity presented itself for him to make a strategic move, and gain even more land across the Yangtze River.
Gathering all of his advisors, Liu Bei began to formulate a plan with them. "Cai Mao's departure with almost all of Liu Biao's army leaves Wuling vulnerable," Kuai Liang observed. "With Lady Cai in charge, the city may be easier to influence or capture. I suggest we should decide now My Lord, whether to strike or not."
Kuai Yue, Ju Shou, and Yang Xiu supported Kuai Liang's words. Kuai Yue suggested they strike immediately, emphasizing the potential to eliminate Liu Biao from the chessboard entirely. "This could be the battle that ends Liu Biao's influence in Jing Province," Kuai Yue stated with conviction.
Ju Shou and Yang Xiu, while agreeing with Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, advised caution. "We must be aware of potential threats from the north or west," Ju Shou warned. "If we overextend ourselves, we could leave Xiangyang vulnerable."
Yang Xiu added, "An assault on Wuling could provoke unexpected development with Cao Cao to our north was in battle with Lie Fan, while to the west Zhang Lu was mending his losses. We must be prepared for all possibilities."
Liu Bei listened carefully, secretly satisfied with Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue for supporting his idea. Although he was a bit dissatisfied with Ju Shou and Yang Xiu's cautious approach, he did not show it. Instead, he weighed their advice carefully.
"We must strike a balance," Liu Bei finally said. "We will move against Wuling, but we will also fortify our positions and remain vigilant for any counterattacks. Kuai Liang, prepare the necessary forces and ensure our defenses are strengthened. We will proceed with caution, but we will not miss this opportunity."
Kuai Liang nodded, already calculating the logistics. "I will make the necessary preparations, my lord. With swift and decisive action, we can seize Wuling and consolidate our power."
As the plans were set into motion, Liu Bei's forces began to mobilize. The soldiers, eager to expand their territory and strengthen their position, readied themselves for the campaign ahead.
Liu Bei knew that this bold move could tip the balance of power in Jing Province to him entirely, but it also carried significant risks because if it backfired then he would lose everything.
Hearing that another campaign was on the horizon, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, along with Liu Bei's other generals, were ecstatic. They began to prepare and train their men twice as hard. Morale was initially high, with the troops feeling confident and ready for battle.
However, the situation began to sour due to Zhang Fei's behavior. Known for his fierce temper and love of drink, Zhang Fei got drunk one night and, in a fit of rage, had several men beaten and imprisoned. This caused resentment to build among the soldiers, impacting the entire army's morale.
When Liu Bei received the news of Zhang Fei's antics, he was angered by his brother's reckless behavior. Knowing that discipline and unity were crucial for the success of their campaign, Liu Bei decided to take decisive action.
"Zhang Fei's behavior cannot be tolerated at this important conjecture," Liu Bei declared to his advisors. "We cannot afford to have discord within our ranks."
As punishment, Liu Bei ordered Zhang Fei to stay behind and guard Xinye alongside Liu Pan and Liu Qi. This decision served both as a disciplinary measure and a strategic move to protect against any possible attacks from Cao Cao.
Zhang Fei, though initially furious at being left out of the campaign, understood the gravity of his actions. "I will guard Xinye with my life, Big brother," he vowed to Liu Bei. "I will not let you down again!"
With Zhang Fei stationed at Xinye, Guan Yu and the other generals continued their preparations. They worked tirelessly to ensure their men were battle-ready, instilling discipline and boosting morale. The soldiers, despite the earlier setback, regained their confidence under Guan Yu's steady leadership.
Several days passed, and Liu Bei's army, under Guan Yu's leadership and accompanied by Kuai Yue and Ju Shou as its strategists, began their march toward Wuling. The troops were eager and well-prepared, their spirits lifted by the prospect of a decisive engagement.
As Liu Bei's army moved out and began its march toward Wuling, at Changsha the battle began. Liu Biao's army, under Cai Mao's command, had arrived and commenced their siege of the town.
The siege engines and troops were put into position, and the assault began in earnest, without Cai Mao commencing any diplomatic talk to persuade Han Xuan to surrender.
Cai Mao, determined to capture Changsha, directed his forces with precision. The siege lines were drawn tight, and the artillery began its bombardment of the town's defenses. Soldiers worked tirelessly to construct siege works, including ladders and rams, to breach the walls of Changsha.
The defenders, led by Han Xuan, Zhou Yu, and Zhou Tai, prepared for the onslaught. They utilized the city's fortifications to their advantage and coordinated with the Sun Clan's navy to resist the siege efforts.
As the siege commenced, the naval conflict between Cai Mao's navy and the Sun Clan's navy began. Cai Mao's navy faced a significant challenge against the Sun Clan's naval forces.
The Sun Clan's navy boasted a superior number of ships and experienced seamen, giving them a crucial edge in this maritime engagement. The battle on the Yangtze River unfolded with intense naval maneuvers.
The Sun Clan's Navy took full advantage of their superior positioning and naval experience. They launched a series of coordinated attacks, using their larger fleet to encircle and outmaneuver Cai Mao's ships.
Cai Mao's navy, while determined, struggled to counter the superior tactics and firepower of the Sun Clan. The Sun Clan's ships, equipped with better weaponry and manned by seasoned sailors, managed to inflict significant damage on Cai Mao's fleet.
The clash was fierce, with boarding battles and arrows raining down on both sides. Despite their best efforts, Cai Mao's navy could not match the effectiveness of the Sun Clan's naval forces.
The Sun Clan's superiority allowed them to dominate the waters around Changsha, disrupting Cai Mao's supply lines and hampering his ability to maintain the siege effectively.
The naval engagement ended with a decisive victory for the Sun Clan. Cai Mao's fleet was forced to retreat, leaving the river under Sun Clan's control. The convergence of these military actions the siege of Changsha and Liu Bei's advance on Wuling set Jing Province enter another period of turmoil, as the outcome of these engagements would significantly influence the power dynamics in Jing Province.
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Name: Lie Fan
Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu
Age: 31 (198 AD)
Level: 16
Next Level: 462,000
Renown: 825
Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)
SP: 1,121,700
ATTRIBUTE POINTS
STR: 936 (+20)
VIT: 598 (+20)
AGI: 583 (+10)
INT: 587
CHR: 96
WIS: 509
WILL: 397
ATR Points: 0
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